Hello, do I need to remove my phono boards before connecting an external phono amp?
You don’t have to but it depends whether you wish to use the Phono input or not. If so, then you need to remove the boards and replace them with link boards (NA326). Otherwise, just remove the boards and use a different input to connect the external phono stage.
The first 72 models had 4 RCA inputs. If the 72 is powered by a hicap, the NA 323 S or K MC phono cards are already excellent. If you are using a pre-phono other than Naim, it would be preferable to use a Din input on the 72. I use my Linn Urika 1 pre-phono with an RCA to Din cable, which performs better than the RCA inputs on the 72 bridged directly to the other stages of the preamp when the phono cards are removed from the nac 72.
The NAC 72s all have BNC inputs, unless they’ve been butchered…
You’re right, I had forgotten that detail. The RCA connectors from the early years, those on the Nait 1 and 2, Nac 42 and 32, were later replaced by 75-ohm female BNC sockets, chosen by Naim because of their low impedance. With my 52, Naim included a pair of male BNC plugs in anticipation of connecting a cable to the 52’s BNC input. The BNC connectors specially chosen by Naim for the phono inputs were better than most other BNC connectors available on the market (better ground conduction). By interconnecting male BNC/female RCA adapters, the modulation is filtered, which is a temporary solution. Today, standard RCA connectors such as WBT Nextgen, Echmann and Eti Bullet are excellent and have a nominal impedance of 75 ohms. Instead of the original BNC connectors, for practical reasons and without detracting from the aesthetics of my 72, I happily use the same WBT Nextgen RCA connectors as the Naim Superline.
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Naim use 50 Ohm BNC’s
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How many TT arms come or came with BNC connections as standard?
Naim Aro has 50 Ohm BNC’s.
Serious dealers changed from RCA to 50 Ohm BNC’s on LP12’s for an example.
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It was indeed 50 ohms. I checked my BNC connectors, which I keep in a bag, and the white insulation is more visible on the 50-ohm ones, while the 75-ohm ones have less white dielectric insulation. My BNCs (Naim) had the positive signal soldered to the small central connector, while the negative signal (shielding braid) was compressed without soldering between a hard rubber ring and the metal body. Over time, the strands of wire eventually blacken and the negative signal return gradually deteriorates, making it useful to refresh the blackened copper strands. This is particularly noticeable with phono cartridges, especially low-signal MC cartridges.
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